This week’s writing prompt is Boats. I could have linked my prior writings about my paternal Cogswell ancestors that survived a hurricane, or prior writings about my maternal ancestor Mary Wheldon Taylor that died on a small boat, or about other ancestors that arrived via boats and ships, or a myriad of other boat-related stories. But I opted to keep it simple and write about the surname Stafford, which has a nautical related meaning.

The furthest I can take my Stafford lines back are to my sixth great-grandfather, Henry Stafford. He is believed to have been born around 1725. His place of birth is unknown but is thought to be in Sussex, Delaware, where he married and all his children were born, and where his will was written and probated. Sussex County, Delaware, is on the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

There is no doubt that my Stafford ancestors came to America via a boat or ship. Whether Henry was actually born in England, or his line was in America a few generations longer, they arrived here by way of a nautical route.

Some list his name as Henry Nathaniel Stafford to try and make a baptism record in England fit for him, and an unproven parentage based upon this record. In land records in Delaware, he is always listed as Henry Stafford. In his will and probate records, he is only listed as Henry Stafford, Planter. Although middle names were not unheard of in the 1700s, they were not common among English settlers. It was much more common with the Germans, Scandinavians, and Dutch.

He married a woman named Elizabeth. We know this because she is listed in his will. Her maiden name is unknown. Some have tried to give her the maiden names: Cook, Eaton, and Grayfox, adding a middle name of Ann. None of these maiden names are proven, and in no record is she given the middle name Ann.

Stafford is an English first name and surname.

The meaning of the surname is from the English city of Stafford, Staffordshire, but occasionally from other places with similar names, such as Stafford House in Ifield (Sussex), possibly East and West Stowford in East Down (Devon), and three minor places in Devon called Stafford, in Dolton, Broadhembury, and Colyton parishes. The places are all named for the Old English word ford ‘ford’ as the final element but have different initial elements. In general, the surname is taken from Old English stæð meaning wharf, landing place and ford meaning ford, river crossing, i.e. landing stage by the ford. Sidenote, the surname is now far more familiar to the United States than to England. (1 & 2)

The Cambridge Dictionary lists the meaning of wharf and landing place/stage as: an area like a wide wall built near the edge of the ocean or a river where ships can be tied, and goods can be taken off them. The meaning of a ford or river crossing is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading.

You may learn more about my Stafford and related McLinn ancestors here.

My direct line:

1. Henry Stafford and Elizabeth ____.
2. Zorababel Stafford and Hester/Esther McLin.
3. Mary Ellen Stafford and Peleg Rogers.
4. Nancy Anna Rogers and Aden Barrett.
5. Cynthia Barrett and John Louis Doughty.
6. Mary Adalaide “Mame” Doughty and James Francis Fay. (My great-grandparents).

References:

1. The meaning of Stafford. 23andme.com
2. Stafford (surname). en.wikipedia.org

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